Tests have been carried out on samples from eggs and poultry meat in the districts of Warendorf and Minden-Lübbecke where more contaminated eggs were found.

"The EU limit of 3pg (picograms) of dioxin per gram of fat has not been achieved, with one exception. The measured values ranged from 0.27 to 2.55pg per gram of fat," the official statement said.

"Thus the eggs and turkey meat are legally marketable again."

The ministry said that the closure of two plants with a total of five houses in the Minden-Lübbecke district and an operation with a barn in the district of Warendorf has been lifted.

An egg sample from a third poultry house in Minden-Lübbecke was just over the limit and this was confirmed by follow-up testing. This operation will remain closed until further notice.

The NRW state government is now carrying out a full investigation and reviewing the trade flows of possibly contaminated feed and foodstuffs.

The authority is concerned that potentially contaminated food is being traced to the trade.

The ministry said that medium- and long-term damage to health by eating dioxin-contaminated food cannot be excluded as dioxins are carcinogenic. However, it added that an acute risk is not expected by eating small amouts of dioxin.

Further Reading

-

Go to our previous news item on this story by clicking here.